November 30 ! CNI

Global warming is a serious challenge to Christians, a point underlined by the recent intervention of Francis who in an attempt to influence the Paris conference called for action on climate change in a recent . - See report below and links in Media digest

Protestors brave the rain in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast to demand action on climate change

Hundreds of people have taken part in demonstrations demanding action on climate change. [email protected] Page 1 November 30 Rallies were organised in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast ahead of the United Nations' summit in Paris today, Monday.

Stop Climate Chaos, which led the Dublin march, claimed the country was gearing up for an energy "revolution".

Spokesman Oisin Coghlan said: "People are marching because we don't trust our leaders to lead.

"We know the real leaders are the communities on the frontline of the climate crisis and of the energy revolution we need to solve it. Communities resisting land grabs for palm oil plantations in Africa, communities pioneering collective solar energy projects across the world and those organising to keep fossil fuels in the ground.

"Taoiseach Enda Kenny will be among the 150 world leaders meeting in Paris tomorrow and he should be in no doubt that Ireland is mobilising for an energy revolution, one that leaves behind dirty fossil fuels and embraces clean, renewable, community-owned energy."

[email protected] Page 2 November 30 Events have been staged in more than 70 countries with one of the largest in London.

In Paris, world leaders from more than 50 countries will attempt to thrash out a deal that will tackle global warming and encourage a shift towards renewable energy.

The global climate conference begins today and is expected to continue until December 11.

Ciara Kirrane, co-ordinator of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, said the response to their rallies demonstrated the strength and determination of their movement.

She said: "We're delighted so many different groups in Ireland have supported this call for action on climate change - from unions to student societies, NGOs and the public.

"We need everyone, now more than ever, if we are to tackle the climate crisis."

In Belfast, protesters braved the rain and bitterly cold temperatures at Writers Square in the city centre. Among those taking part was Green Party leader Steven Agnew who said everyone had their role to play in tackling the global problem. [email protected] Page 3 November 30 He said: "Our purpose is to send a message internationally that we want a deal in Paris but locally, Northern Ireland has to play its part too. This is an issue that has not gone away. It will impact on the people of Northern Ireland, albeit it will impact most on the world's poorest. But, we all need to take action to mitigate this global problem.

"We still need a climate bill.

"It was agreed to by the Assembly last year but we have not seen that forthcoming from the environment minister."

A number of other political figures attended the rally including Alliance Party leader David Ford and South Belfast MLA Anna Lo.

Meanwhile James Orr, Friends Of The Earth Northern Ireland director, told the crowd of up to 200 they stood in solidarity with environmental campaigners across the world.

He said: "This event that is happening in Paris is the most decisive event in the history of humanity. Unless we act in 2016 to reverse global warming, we are staring into the face of global genocide." [email protected] Page 4 November 30 Hail shower hits Eglinton clergy’s sit-out for refugees

A ‘container sit-out’ by three local clergymen had barely begun when the heavens opened and a hail shower began pelting passers-by going about their business in the centre of Eglinton.

The trio – Faughanvale Rector Rev Paul Hoey, local Roman Catholic priest Father Noel McDermott and Eglinton Presbyterian Minister Rev Lindsay Blair – had organised the weekend sit-out to highlight the plight of Syrian refugees, particularly with the winter drawing in. The hailstones quickly showed that their gesture was not for the faint-hearted.

Taking turns, the churchmen plan to occupy the blue container, parked right outside the village credit union, round the clock from 4 o’clock on Friday afternoon until tea-time on Sunday, taking a break only for church services on Sunday morning.

Father McDermott – in heavy overcoat and woolly hat, and looking not unlike Belfast's Black Santa – certainly appeared better prepared for the weather than his colleagues. Rev Blair, who [email protected] Page 5 November 30

had drawn the first ‘night-shift’, will be praying that the generator heating the container will hold out, with the temperature forecast to plunge towards zero in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Rev Paul Hoey came up with the idea for the sit- out after hearing a radio report about a group of Syrian refugees who had been living in a container in Eastern Europe. He hopes their scheme will make people more aware of the hardship suffered by refugees as they flee Syria in search of safety and security.

[email protected] Page 6 November 30 Despite the poor weather and falling darkness, the churchmen’s initiative showed early signs of paying off. A number of visitors called to wish them well and make donations to the clergymen’s chosen charities, Trócaire and Tear Fund. Two members of St Canice’s Church’s Select Vestry also arrived, bearing flasks of tea and coffee. They and their colleagues will be accompanying the churchmen at various times over the weekend in a gesture of solidarity.

The three churchmen will be discussing the refugees’ plight with anyone who visits them at the container over the weekend. They say their sit-out is a Christian response to the worsening crisis. The UNHCR estimates that more than 4m Syrians have fled their homeland since 2011 (half of them to Turkey and more than a million to Lebanon). Another 7m people have been displaced in Syria. Christ Church Cathedral girls’ choir celebrates 20th anniversary

The Girls’ Choir in Christ Church Cathedral celebrated its 20th anniversary on Saturday November 21 with a special Service of Choral Evensong. Former directors of music, organists [email protected] Page 7 November 30

The full group who sang at the reunion are pictured with Ian Keately, Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, and Mark Duley, former Director of Music, who, together with Dr John Bartlett, started the first girls’ choir, in 1995. and former girl altos and sopranos of the choir joined other past choristers and the current Girls’ Choir to sing at the anniversary service.

Speaking afterwards on behalf of the girls, Clodagh Merry and Anna Hickey both paid tribute to the people who had started the Girls’ Choir back in 1995. They recalled what it meant to belong to such a choir as schoolgirls and how [email protected] Page 8 November 30 this had inspired both discipline, a sense of belonging and enthusiasm for choral singing ever since. In particular they warmly thanked Mark Duley and all of those who had the vision and energy to get the choir of the ground, which has greatly enriched its liturgy and served the needs of many worshippers over the years. For the reunion the assembled group was joined by Helen Lawson, who acted as robes’ mistress and faithfully served the choir for many years.

As Precentor of the cathedral at the time of its foundation, Canon John Bartlett played a lead role in persuading the cathedral authorities to develop such a choir. He was able to produce his account of the very first service as he had entered it on the day:

Saturday 25 Nov at 5.00 p.m.

“Evensong was led by the new Girls’ Choir for the first time. They looked spectacular in their white albs and red tabards, and sang like angels with a clear, pure tone. The cathedral was full and the buzz was terrific. The clergy actually applauded the choir after Evensong. Archbishop, and I posed with them for photographs. Celebration afterwards in the choir room”. [email protected] Page 9 November 30 He further commented in celebrating 20 years since it’s foundation: “It is important to say that in their first decade the Girls’ Choir was given great support by the then Dean, John Paterson, and by the girls’ parents, who brought their daughters to rehearsals and collected them, and came to the cathedral to hear them sing, and by Mark himself and the members of the senior choir, who sometimes sang with the Girls’ Choir and into whose ranks some members of the Girls’ Choir eventually rose. The Girls’ Choir became a feeder choir for the Cathedral Choir. And it is also important to say that Ian Keatley is doing a great job in continuing the tradition”.

He wished the current group well as they “move onwards and upwards” and commended all those who had organised the renuion, especially Victor Coe, chairman of the Past Choristers Association who made the gathering happen. WCC staff visit to Ireland

Staff from the World Council of Churches will visit Dublin tomorrow, Tuesday. Dr Clare Amos, Hielke Wolters and Garland Pierce will attend presentations in Church of Ireland House given by the Secretary General of the Church of [email protected] Page 10 November 30 Ireland, Adrian Clements, representatives of the Dublin Council of Churches and the Glencree Reconciliation Centre.

After lunch the WCC visitors will travel to the DCU Inter Faith Centre where there will be presentations by Philip McKinley, Chaplain to DCU, and Dr Anne Lodge, Principal of the Church of Ireland College of Education.

Prior to the Dublin visit Dr Amos was the preacher yesterday morning in St Anne’s cathedral, Belfast, and today (Monday) she will attend a lunch and meeting hosted by the Bishop of Connor who is a member of the WCC. Dr Amos is a former Director of Theological Education at the Anglican Communion Office and in that capacity was involved developing the Church of Ireland’s current syllabus for ministerial training. Derry Mothers' Union Vigil Highlights Gender-based Violence

Dozens of local women defied driving rain and chilly temperatures to attend a prayer vigil against gender violence in St Columb’s Cathedral in Londonderry on Saturday afternoon. [email protected] Page 11 November 30

The event was organised by Derry and Raphoe Mothers’ Union as part of its ‘16 Days of Activism’ campaign and was supported by women from across the community. It was one of fifteen vigils being held simultaneously in the twelve of the Church of Ireland to highlight the issue of gender violence locally, nationally and internationally.

The vigil was addressed by Mary Good, who talked about the work of International Justice Mission, and Marie Brown of Women’s Aid. Ms Brown said the PSNI responded on average to one incident of domestic abuse every 19 minutes

[email protected] Page 12 November 30 in Northern Ireland – that meant five incidents over the course of Saturday’s vigil.

Mrs Good said violence against women and girls was one of the most prevalent human rights abuses in the world, knowing no social, economic or national boundaries. She said it was estimated that one in three women around the world could expect to experience physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime.

Jacqui Armstrong, the local Mothers’ Union’s Faith and Policy coordinator, told those present that gender violence affected women disproportionately. She said half of women murdered in 2012 were killed by a partner, former partner or family member, compared to one in 20 men.

Ms Armstrong said it was difficult to gauge the extent of gender violence because it often went unspoken, unreported and unacknowledged. However, globally, women between 15 and 44 years of age were more likely to be maimed or die as a result of male violence than through cancer, malaria, traffic accidents or war combined.

[email protected] Page 13 November 30 Mothers’ Union hopes its 16 Days of Activism campaign will raise awareness of the issue and pressurise governments to take action.

Those present at Saturday’s vigil stood for a minute’s silence in memory of women and girls throughout Ireland who had lost their lives as a result of gender violence. The vigil closed with the presentation of donations for Derry Women’s Aid and Letterkenny Women’s Refuge. readers told Lay Ministry is a Gift to the Church - Archbishop Jackson

“The active and public ministry of lay people is essential to the lifeblood of our church,” Archbishop Michael Jackson told a service of commissioning of Parish Readers last night. Archbishop Jackson commissioned Janet Kirwan and Bruce Middleton as Parish Readers for the parishes of Ballinaclash and Castlemacadam before a large congregation in Holy Trinity Church, Castlemacadam, last night (November 26).

Janet and Bruce will join Lay Reader, Angela Winterbotham and Alan Pierce, Parish Reader in [email protected] Page 14 November 30 Aughrim, in assisting the Rector, Canon George Butler with parish duties. The new Parish Readers were presented to be commissioned by the Diocesan Director for Lay Ministry, the Revd John Tanner.

In his sermon, Archbishop Jackson said that those who are ordained need lay ministers to keep their feet on earth while lay people need lay ministers to keep their eyes on heaven.

In a world where communication was increasingly silent, he said that the Parish Reader’s role was to read out loud. “People pass you in the street engrossed in their iPhone, listening to their iPod or simply poking at their iScreen. You are called not to create a Website of Worship – but to Read. You are to read aloud the Services of Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and the Service of the Word; you are to read aloud the Holy Scriptures; you are to prepare Prayers and to read aloud Prayers to equip the people of God to pray to God,” he explained.

He urged the newly commissioned readers to avoid becoming clericalized. “Clericalization is a cultural constant in any church and, as I say, is to be resisted and avoided. So: What is clericalism? It is the unwarranted sense of superiority before [email protected] Page 15 November 30 God of those who mistakenly view ordination as ‘above’ discipleship. It is the use of the God– given gift of distinction of Order in the church to dominate, to discriminate and to diminish. It is often used without understanding it is being used. And it is a constant danger for those of us, whether as Readers or clergy, undertake roles of leadership while continuing to be servants. It turns ‘The Other’ into ‘The Lesser’ without any warrant to do so… Again Parish Readers do the church some real service in recalling us in a tangible and a visible way that is unpretentious and seeks no reward,” the Archbishop said. Journalist urges Churches to focus on their central message

Well-known author and religion correspondent Alf McCreary spoke recently at Downpatrick Methodists’ annual Faith at Work meeting.

Speaking from the experience of his life and work as a journalist, Mr McCreary urged Churches to focus on the central message of Christianity and, particularly, to present it in language that people can understand.

[email protected] Page 16 November 30

The Rev Louise Monroe, minister of Downpatrick, Dundrum and Newcastle Methodist congregations, Alf McCreary and Dr Chris Girvan of the Downpatrick congregation.

Festival of Christmas Trees popular in Ahoghill

St Colmanell’s Parish Church opened its Festival of Christmas Trees on November 26.

The church was full to overflowing for the opening which featured singing from four local

[email protected] Page 17 November 30 schools – Diamond Primary, Fourtowns Primary, Longstone Primary and St Paul’s Primary.

The festival, which is raising funds for the NI Hospice and the parish buildings fund, was officially opened by the cutting of a ribbon by children from each of the schools.

The festival runs until December 1 and uses lights, scriptures, music, choirs and 40 wonderfully crafted Christmas trees to tell the Christian story from Genesis to the resurrection, with particular emphasis on the birth of Jesus at Christmas.

There are trees which reflect the beauty and joy of Christ’s birth and life and also more unusual ones which illustrate other aspects of His life and the wider and deeper meaning of the Gospel story.

Opening times are:

• Monday November 30 10am-9pm • Tuesday December 1 10am-9pm

Christmas EVENT for young people in Connor [email protected] Page 18 November 30 Christmas is coming and so is the big seasonal EVENT for young people in Connor Diocese.

The Christmas EVENT takes place on December 12 in All Saints Parish Centre, Antrim, starting at 7pm.

All parish groups are encouraged to pick a fancy dress theme and the whole group should come dressed up as part of this theme!

There will be lots of fun and Christmassy activities throughout the evening, which is organised by the Engage Connor Youth Council.

For further information or to confirm your attendance, please contact Diocesan Youth Officer Christina Baillie on [email protected] or 028 9082 8870 or 07753 312405. Bishop Crean confirms priest’s for abuse

The Diocese of Cloyne has confirmed that a priest who was defrocked by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith last January has lost his appeal over his dismissal from the priesthood. [email protected] Page 19 November 30 In a statement on Friday, Bishop William Crean of Cloyne said Daniel Duane had been dismissed from the clerical state following a canonical trial for the crime of abusing minors and that his appeal of this penalty was rejected by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

“Today, I can confirm that the judgement of the canonical trial to dismiss Daniel Duane from the clerical state has been upheld,” the Bishop said in his statement. Therefore, he is no longer a priest and can not exercise any form of priestly ministry, Dr Crean continued.

The disgraced priest had made a second appeal to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith despite its decision last January to recommend that he be defrocked following a canonical trial. But that submission was rejected.

“No further appeal can be made to them in this regard,” the Bishop Crean explained.

The Bishop of Cloyne said he was “most grateful to the survivors of abuse who had the courage to come forward to tell their stories. This has been a long and painful process for all involved.”

[email protected] Page 20 November 30 He also sought to reassure the people of Cloyne that comprehensive child safeguarding measures are in place and he thanked the safeguarding representative in parishes in the diocese who are working to ensure that children’s welfare is protected in all Church activities.

In its 2013 judgement, the canonical court “reached the decision with moral certainty” that the priest had sexually abused minors and teenagers and that he “should be dismissed from the clerical state”.

It is understood Mr Duane was the subject of up to 11 complaints of abuse. However, he had faced two criminal charges for sex abuse and was acquitted in both cases.

In May 2011, he was found not guilty of indecently assaulting a teenage girl by direction of the trial judge, who expressed concerns about the alleged victim’s delay in making a complaint to Gardaí.

Six months later, a jury found Mr Duane not guilty of indecently assaulting a second teenager, following a three-day trial.

[email protected] Page 21 November 30 Last September, Cloyne’s designated child protection officer resigned when he discovered that Duane was continuing to say Mass privately at his home despite the fact that he had been dismissed from the clerical state in January.

Bill Meagher was told by the former priest said he was acting on the advice of a canon lawyer who told him to continue to say Mass while his appeal against his dismissal from the priesthood was considered by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

“I believed that no further action by me was possible until I received notification from the CDF,” the Bishop Crean explained that the time.

But Bill Meagher did not agree and resigned. Prayers for 2016 Gathering and Meeting of Anglican Primates

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Most Revd Josiah Idowu- Fearon, is inviting everyone to pray daily for the Bishops and Archbishops who will be getting together in Canterbury, 11-16 January. [email protected] Page 22 November 30

This Litany is suggested for general use.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3-5.

“As a Communion, God gives us His daily grace and opportunities to put it into action. We have much to praise and thank our Lord as we look forward to the gathering and Meeting of Primates in January.

“It is our earnest request that brothers and sisters [email protected] Page 23 November 30 across the world who love and wish us well, will join us in praying this Litany day by day, in addition to the prayer which was published in October.” New book evaluates Ireland’s response to Vatican II

Many Irish Catholics are only beginning to awaken to the real significance of the , according to author and lecturer Fr Niall Coll.

Speaking at the launch of a book of essays on Ireland and Vatican II published on the 50th anniversary of the closing of Vatican II, he said it was important to mark the closure “because that is when its implementation begins.”

The priest of Raphoe diocese, who edited the book, said the reception of Vatican II was slow in Ireland because of the “unusually high number of religious” compared to elsewhere in the Church, “giving the impression for longer of business as usual”.

Published by Columba Press, Ireland and Vatican II is a selection of twenty-two essays divided into three sections – Retrospectives, [email protected] Page 24 November 30

Michael Kelly, editor Irish Catholic

Theological, Pastoral and Social and a final section covering Education.

At its launch on Thursday night, Irish Catholic editor Michael Kelly said it would “contribute greatly to the understanding and the ongoing relevance of Vatican II.”

[email protected] Page 25 November 30 “Quite often you hear people say ‘Oh in Ireland we didn’t really implement Vatican II or not enough was done.’ I think those statements are true but they can be glib. It is important to unpack what that means. A book like this is a good pause for thought to reflect after fifty years.”

Contributors to the 330 page book range from well known Jesuits like educationalist and author Paul Andrews SJ (A Whirlwind of Change, New Life: One Jesuits Experience) and author Oliver Rafferty SJ (The in Ireland and Vatican II in Historical Perspective), to academics like Prof Eamonn Conway (A Guide through Today’s Educational Emergency?), Fr Eugene Duffy (Reimaging the Church in Ireland in the Light of Vatican II) Fr Paul Fleming (Mary and her Role in the Church Today), Prof Colin Harvey(Encouraging Dialogue? Human Rights and Vatican II), Sharon Haughey (Spirituality in School: Encouraging Young Faith), Fr Feidhlimidh Magennis (From Dei Verbum to Verbum Domini), Gerard McCannn (A Philosophy of Hope and Vatican II), Fr Edward McGee (Towards a Fuller Participation in the Liturgy) and Gareth Byrne (The National Directory for Catechesis in Ireland).

[email protected] Page 26 November 30 Two chapters come from non Catholics: Vatican II Fifty Years On: Some Anglican Reflections by Archbishop Richard Clarke, and the Influence of Vatican II on the Protestant Churches in Ireland by Patrick Mitchel.

Baroness Nuala O’Loan wrote an essay on Liberation and Authenticity, while former director of Focolare in Ireland, Juanita Majury, traced the growth of new religious movements in Ireland following Vatican II (The Second Vatican Council and the New Religious Movements in Ireland).

Other chapters came from Fiona Dineen (Catholic Education in Ireland), Fr Gerry Reynolds (Ecumenism: A personal pilgrimage), Paschal Scallon CM (A response to the violence of the modern world), Aidan Donaldson (The Preferential Option for the Poor), Irish Catholic editor, Michael Kelly (Media and Church in Ireland since the Council) and Eithne Woulfe (Religious Life in Ireland Today).

Speaking at Thursday’s launch at the offices of the Irish Catholic, Baroness Nuala O’Loan noted the absence of a voice from the Irish Catholic hierarchy.

[email protected] Page 27 November 30 “I think it is profoundly unfortunate that the voice of the bishops is not heard in this book and I know that voice was sought,” she remarked.

She said the book was about the “journey of the Irish people from before Vatican II to the present day, the journey of faith – keeping faith, holding faith” during a time of “monumental change”.

She reminded those present of some of the markers of the pre-Vatican II era: the Mother and Baby Homes, how those born outside could not become priests or religious, the weekly ritualistic confession, the prohibition of entering churches other than “our own”, the ‘Ne Temere’ , the conceptualisation of women as either “good mothers or Eve like sources of temptation”.

“All that was the product of a pre-Vatican II thinking.” Baroness O’Loan said the book traced the revolutionary change brought by the council and its aftermath.

“You will meet the battle between the liberation theologians and those who saw the danger of Marxism impacting on the Church as a result of Liberation Theology.”

[email protected] Page 28 November 30 Ireland suffered its own trauma and conflict, she said, “partly because of its failure to adequately respond to Vatican II”.

She concluded describing the book as a “seminal contribution to understanding the state of the Church in Ireland today and hope for the future.” Media digest

Is harming the environment a sin? Irish Times The Rev Andrew Orr, a Church of Ireland priest who is chairman of the Christian environmental lobby group Eco-congregation Ireland, says that the ... http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/is-harming- the-environment-a-sin-1.2446352

Politicians condemn anti-refugee parade and rally the Irish News The Irish News revealed yesterday that Protestant church leaders have also condemned the planned protests. Mr Robinson said the refugees will be ... http://www.irishnews.com/news/2015/11/28/news/ politicians-condemn-anti-refugee-parade-and- rally-336630/ Weekend Profile: Mary McAleese – faithful rebel the Irish News [email protected] Page 29 November 30 YOU don't have to speak long with Mary McAleese – a nanosecond, maybe two – before realising that her Christian faith, above all else, is what drives ... http://www.irishnews.com.irishnews/irishnews/irishnews// lifestyle/2015/11/28/news/weekend-profile-mary- mcaleese-faithful-rebel-334683/content.html Bryson band barred from parade past St Patrick's Church the Irish News A LOYALIST band associated with flag protester Jamie Bryson has been banned from marching past a Catholic church in Belfast. Bangor Protestant ... http://www.irishnews.com/irishnews//news/2015/11/27/ news/bryson-band-barred-from-parade-past-st-patrick-s- church-335099/content.html Thinking Anew: It is our duty to take care of God's creation Irish Times Churches in Ireland are invited to pray for the success of COP21, the UN climate change conference which opens in Paris on Monday in another ... http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion- and-beliefs/thinking-anew-it-is-our-duty-to-take-care-of- god-s-creation-1.2446423

Non-Catholic in a Catholic school Irish Times The Irish Times has spoken to parents, teachers and students about their experiences of being non-Catholic in Catholic schools. Most have chosen to ... [email protected] Page 30 November 30 http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion- and-beliefs/non-catholic-in-a-catholic-school-1.2446488

Young missionaries spreading Good News The Irish Catholic I got to know the NET team that year and in getting to know them I got to know a lot more about the Catholic Church. They helped me understand my ... http://www.irishcatholic.ie/article/young-missionaries- spreading-good-news Vanishing Catholic Church seeks salvation - can it reinvigorate itself? Irish Independent It was a dignified and moving retreat that is being replicated in towns, cities and country areas right across Ireland. Last Sunday, the Dominican friars ... http://www.independent.ie/life/vanishing-catholic-church- seeks-salvation-can-it-reinvigorate-itself-34237641.html Palmarian Catholic Church sect took our sister from us, says family of Bridget Crosbie Belfast Telegraph ... documentary called Ireland's Secret Cults, is said to have about 300 members in Ireland but when Review attempted to contact the Church this week ... http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/palmarian-catholic- church-sect-took-our-sister-from-us-says-family-of- bridget-crosbie-34242362.html

[email protected] Page 31 November 30 Religious cult took our sister from us, says family Irish Independent Michael Garde, Director of Dialogue Ireland, an independent trust that works to promote awareness and understanding of new 'religious' movements ... http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/religious-cult- took-our-sister-from-us-says-family-34241672.html

BBC/Guard/Tel/Christian Today/Church Times Reports on announcement that the Anglican Church is one of the bodies to be investigated by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), chaired by Justice Goddard. Articles note that in relation to the Church of England, the case of Bishop Peter Ball, jailed last month after admitting abusing young men, will be investigated to see whether there were attempts by prominent people to interfere in the criminal justice process. Articles also note CofE statement (see above) which welcomes the announcement and refers to the Archbishop of Canterbury's request in July that the Church be one of the first institutions to be considered in the inquiry. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34940723 http://www.theguardian.com/society/video/2015/nov/27/ child-sex-abuse-lines-of-inquiry-set-out-by-justice- goddard-video http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/child- protection/12020326/Child-sex-abuse-inquiry-Serving- MPs-the-church-and-locals-council-to-be-put-under- spotlight.html

[email protected] Page 32 November 30 http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2015/4-december/ news/uk/churches-join-mps-as-first-to-be-investigated-in- abuse-inquiry http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/ article4626348.ece http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3336241/Child- abuse-MPs-priests-celebrities-centre-new-multi-million- pound-inquiry-judge-reveals.html

Times Opinion piece by Giles Coren on ruling this week in The by Mr Justice Warby on the teaching of non- religious beliefs in the syllabus for 14 - 16 year olds. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/ article4626348.ece

Times Advent is a time to take stock of our lives writes The Very Rev Dr Ian Bradley, Principal of St Mary's College, University of St Andrews. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/faith/article4625975.ece

Mail Quentin Letts previews his debut novel, The Speaker's Wife, a character in which is an 'ambitious senior clergyman who is all too eager to be part of Westminster's amoral political swirl'. Article notes the book refers to the lamentable decline of the Church of England. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3336989/Beyond- parody-Mail-s-peerless-sketchwriter-written-satirical- novel-mocking-new-Establishment-powers-invention-t- compete-horror-vulgar-witless-elite.html? ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490 [email protected] Page 33 November 30

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